Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs vs. North Queensland Cowboys
ANZ Stadium
Thursday 11 May 7.50pm LOCAL
Two desperate to fight their way back into the top 8 kick off Round 10 of the 2017 season, with the Bulldogs taking on the Cowboys in Thursday Night Football. With contrasting form, both teams will be looking to climb back up the ladder before the Origin period as a host of stars will be out of action.
The Bulldogs have certainly turned things around since the first month of the competition, having recorded four wins from their last five matches. Their 16-10 victory over the Canberra Raiders away from home definitely gave them confidence to achieve great things this season, and will look continue their momentum when they host the 2015 premiers.
They will look to carry on their good form without Josh Reynolds, who will be sidelined for 4-6 weeks with a hamstring injury. His absence has seen another spine re-shuffle, with in-form rookie Matt Frawley named to partner Moses Mbye in the halves, with off-contract hooker Michael Lichaa named to start.
The Cowboys have surprised fans with their form this season, and not for good reason. Arguably one of the most depleted sides in the competition at the moment, the Cowboys have lost three of their past four games but welcome back a host of stars in their clash with the Bulldogs.
Lachlan Coote and Jake Granville are the two big inclusions, and as two integral members of their spine they will provide significant experience and direction in attack. John Asiata moves to his preferred position at front-row, with Ray Thompson named to replace injured skipper Jonathan Thurston at halfback.
They have been dominant in the recent fixtures against the Bulldogs, having won the past five encounters.
Tip: The absence of Reynolds is a huge loss for the Bulldogs, but fans can have confidence in young Frawley who has been playing well beyond his years. They will relish the home ground advantage, but the inclusions of Coote and Granville will be instrumental for the Cowboys in the crucial moments. Cowboys by 6.
Best bet: Cowboys head-to-head $2.35
Odds: Bulldogs $1.61 Cowboys $2.35
St. George Illawarra Dragons vs. Cronulla Sharks
UOW Jubilee Oval
Friday 12 May 6.00pm LOCAL
The Dragons will be looking to make amends following their back-to-back losses when they battle their arch-rivals the Cronulla Sharks for the second time this season. The Dragons took home bragging rights after a gutsy 16-10 victory in Round 3 away from home, and now host the defending premiers in one of the most highly anticipated games of the Round.
The Dragons are currently sitting second on the competition ladder but have recorded two consecutive losses to the Roosters and Melbourne Storm. The Sharks are breathing down their neck as they sit just behind them on points difference, but have also been out of touch with their form with a narrow loss to the Titans and battling their way to victory against the Tigers in Round 9.
The absence Gareth Widdop has clearly impacted their attacking structures but they can take confidence in their second-half against the Storm after their crossed for four tries in the final 20 minutes. Josh Dugan's fractured cheekbone he sustained in the Anzac Test will see him sidelined for at least a month, with veteran Jason Nightingale switching to fullback and Taane Milne taking his place on the wing.
The Sharks will be looking to re-gain some consistency in their performances after two below-par performances. They venture to Jubilee Oval having poor success in recent memory, having lost their past four fixtures at the ground with a combined 122-38 scoreline. Although a tough record, the Sharks can take confidence in their undefeated record away from home in 2017,
Tip: The Sharks have been the most threatening team in their 20 minutes after halftime, scoring 12 tries in that period in comparison to the Dragons conceding 11 in that time. That clutch period of the game will be significant in deciding the outcome of the contest, and the absence of Widdop will certainly effect the Dragons chances. Sharks by 12.
Best bet: Sharks handicap -7.5 $1.90
Odds: Dragons $3.05 Sharks $1.38
Wests Tigers vs. South Sydney Rabbitohs
ANZ Stadium
Friday 12 May 7.50pm LOCAL
The Wests Tigers and South Sydney Rabbitohs will do battle for the second time this season, after their Round 1 showdown resulted in a dominant performance from the Tigers, before the struggling club took a downward spiral and eventually sacked structinised coach Jason Taylor.
Not much has changed for the Tigers over the course of the last 10 weeks away from the field, however their on-field performances since inclusion of Ivan Cleary as head coach has drastically improved. They made a big statement to the rest of the competition with a strong victory over the Cowboys, and have shown promising signs in their recent fixtures however have been unable to find consistency.
The loss of Aaron Woods will do huge damage to their forward pack and go-forward, so expect big minutes from Sauaso Su and Ava Seuanufegai up front.
All eyes will be on the pairing of James Tedesco and Mitch Moses, after their futures have been sorted and announcing they will both be departing the club at seasons end.
The Rabbitohs are lacking significant confidence and their are worrying signs for the 2014 premiers after a disastrous performance against the Manly Sea Eagles. They have now lost consecutive games, with two of them 13+, and now boast the fourth worst defensive record and have struggled to score points consistently this season.
Expect a late re-shuffle an hour before kick-off, with reports suggesting Cody Walker will be named at fullback, with Alex Johnston moved to the wing and John Sutton returning to the halves.
Tip: Ivan Cleary coached sides have won the last four encounters against the Rabbitohs, scoring 30+ points in each game. With the form of the Rabbitohs well below expectation, expect a similiar result. Tigers by 14.
Best Bet: Wests Tigers head-to-head $2.03
Odds: Tigers $2.03 Rabbitohs $1.78
Penrith Panthers vs. New Zealand Warriors
Pepper Stadium
Saturday 13 May 3.00pm LOCAL
This game would be touted as as a battle of the competition heavyweights prior to the season, but the inconsistent form of the Panthers and Warriors in 2017 sets this game as just another regular season encounter. The Panthers sit second-last on the competition ladder having just recorded two wins so far this season, however the Warriors have been incredibly competitive against genuine title contenders, including a last-gasp victory over the Sydney Roosters in Round 9.
The Panthers were certainly not expected to be sitting so low on the ladder after Nine Rounds, but a range of injuries and ill-discipline from senior players have contributed to an array of poor performances.
They welcome back 18 players who took part in the representative round, and the experience could be incredibly valuable to their future success this season. In a massive boost for the pre-season favourites, they welcome back James Fischer-Harris to their starting line-up which will see boom rookie Corey Harawira-Neara return to the bench.
Dynamic back-rower Bryce Cartwright has been named top return to five-eight, so expect alot of early touches in the contest and and a big involvement from the City representative on the weekend. His return to the number 6 jersey will see young gun Te Maire Martin dropped to reserve grade.
The Warriors have shown their worth in recent fixtures, recording a narrow loss to the Melbourne Storm before putting in a valiant display against the Roosters, which saw a last-minute penalty goal to Shaun Johnson seal-the-deal in a 14-13 victory. Solomona Kata returns to the side with Charnez Niccoll-Klokstad missing selection, while Captain Roger Tuivasa-Sheck will be looking to lead by example in his 100th first-grade appearance.
Tip: This game has been the most evenly backed so far this week, and expect the predictions to reflect the outcome of the match as both teams will be desperate for a victory to remain to touch with the Top 8. Panthers hold the edge with the home ground advantage, but the form of the Warriors suggest a potential upset. Warriors by 2 in a thriller.
Best bet: Warriors head-to-head $2.10
Odds: Panthers $1.73 Warriors $2.10
Melbourne Storm vs. Gold Coast Titans
Suncorp Stadium
Saturday 13 May 5.30pm LOCAL
The Melbourne Storm take their home match to enemy territory when they kick-off Suncorp's Double Header, taking on the Gold Coast Titans on Saturday Night.
The Storm are no doubt the form team of the competition as they sit first on the ladder - 4 points clear of the rest of the competition. On the other hand, the Titans have showed glimpses of their potential with strong back-to-back victories over the Sharks and Newcastle Knights but sit twelfth position.
The Storm put in a dominant performance against the Dragons in Round 9, however, their focuse dropped significantly in the closing stages as they leaked 22 points in the final 20 minutes. Bellamy will certainly be looking for a consistent 80 minute performance, and a big response following the cocaine allegations involving Jesse Bromwich. Although dropped from this weeks game, the Storm welcome back Kiwi international Tohu Harris for his first appearance of 2017.
The Titans were inconsistent to start their 2017 campaign, however since the return of Jarryd Hayne they have put in some startling performances to make a strong statement to the rest of the competition. Their grinding 16-12 upset victory over the Sharks made a few heads turn, but their professional 38-8 win over the Knights saw them classed as a genuine threat to the competition heavy weights.
Kevin Proctor has been dropped for four weeks as a result of his cocaine bust with opposition number Jesse Bromwich, which seesJoe Greenwood start in the front-row and Dale Copley moving to the bench.
Tip: The Storm have won nine of the past eleven games against the Titans, and they boast the second best defence in the competition. Although scary signs for the Gold Coast, they have the considerable strike power across the park and certainly won't go down without a fight. Storm by 8.
Best bet: Gold Coast Titans handicap +8 $1.90
Odds: Storm $1.37 Titans $3.10
Sea Eagles vs. Brisbane Broncos
Suncorp Stadium
Saturday 13 May 7.50pm LOCAL
Suncorp will be graced with another thrilling contest on Saturday night, with the Eagles hosting the Broncos in a battle of the heavyweights.
Manly have proven to be a genuine premiership force throughout the 2017 season, with valiant victories over the Cowboys, Roosters and Raiders. Their thumping 46-8 win over the Rabbitohs proved to be a genuine threat to the rest of the competition, with Tom Trbojevic and Dylan Walker doing considerable damage with a hand in 6 tries between them.
Trent Barrett has named an unchanged side to take on the Broncos, and will be expecting another dominant performance from his forwards to ensure the second-best attacking team in the competition can prove their worth against another potential premiership contender.
The Bronco's will relish the fact they're playing an away game in front of their home crowd, especially when they have won the past three home encounters by an average of 28 points. With four consecutive victories and a dominant performance over Penrith in Round 9, they will be desperate for another two points to remain in the top four.
James Roberts has been battling an ankle injury over the past fortnight, and has been named as 18th man however could be a late inclusion.
Tip: There's not much to split between the two sides considering their form, but will have to lean towards the Bronco's considering they ironically hold the "home" ground advantage. Broncos by 6.
Best bet: Broncos 1-12 $2.80
Odds: Eagles $2.35 Broncos $1.80
Newcastle Knights vs. Canberra Raiders
McDonald Jones Stadium
Sunday 14 May 2.00pm LOCAL
Many punters will be thinking this is an easy win for the Canberra Raiders, but a-lot should be considered after some gutsy efforts from the Knights so far this season. Although both teams entered representative round with disappointing losses, both teams will be looking to resurrect their form and gain some momentum heading into the Bye and Origin period.
The Knights haven't won since Round 2 of the competition, but have shown signs of their fighting attitude but have lacked the experience and strike power to do any considerable damage. They fought hard until the 60th minute against the Titans, that pattern viewed as the story of their season with strong efforts against the Roosters and Bulldogs also reflecting similiar outcomes.
Trent Hodkinson has been named on an extended bench after being dropped in Round 9, but expect him to be named an hour before kick-off as they come up against skilful and powerful Raiders team.
The Raiders will be more than disappointed with their back-to-back losses to the Sea Eagles and Bulldogs, but have the perfect opportunity to make amends for their poor performances against the struggling Knights. Their forward pack is expected to be dominant once again, especially with the likes of Shannon Boyd and Junior Paulo mentioned in the representative realm for this season. The best right-side combination of BJ Leilua and Jordan Rapana have been quiet over the last fortnight, so fans will be expecting plenty of involvement early in the contest.
With Josh Papalii stood down for disciplinary issues, Sia Soliola has been named to start in the back-row, with Dunamis Lui named on the bench.
Tip: The Knights have certainly surprised teams with their resilience, but they will struggle against a heavy and experienced forward pack. They may fight hard but it won't be enough against a lethal team like the Raiders. Raiders by 18.
Best bet: Raiders 13+ $1.70
Odds: Knights $4.65 Raiders $1.20
Sydney Roosters vs. Parramatta Eels
Allianz Stadium
Sunday 14 May 4.00pm LOCAL
The Sydney Roosters and Parramatta Eels will play out the final game of Round 10 at Allianz Stadium, with both teams looking to cement themselves in the Top 8.
The Roosters are coming off a tough loss to the Warriors away from home, with the defeat dropping them to fifth place on the ladder. The Eels, however, will be full of confidence after a 26-8 win over a depleted Cowboys outfit and now sit just inside the Top 8
The Roosters will be gunning for a return to the Top 4 after a Mitchell Pearce field goal wasn't enough against the Warriors to eventually go down 14-13. Despite the loss, they can take confidence in their defensive efforts in recent weeks, having conceded just five tries in three games. With Shaun Kenny-Dowall stood down indefinitely after cocaine, boom rookie Latrell Mitchell returns to the side after a stint in reserve grade for the Wyong Roos, and will be looking to make a big statement to earn himself a spot back in the starting 13.
The Parramatta Eels have bounced back to form after four straight losses, with three consecutive wins over the Tigers, Panthers and Cowboys. Corey Norman has been instrumental in their victories, orchestrating their attacking raids with the direction and experience that has him spoken about as a potential replacement for Jonathan Thurston in the Maroons side. Brad Arthur has named an unchanged 17 to take on the Roosters, however live-wire fullback Bevan French could be a late inclusion for the Eels, and would add significant X-Factor for a team hanging onto eighth position.
Tip: The Roosters have won seven of the past ten encounters against the Eels, and will be determined to showcase their heavyweight status against a fellow in-form team. The Eels have been much improved in recent weeks, but i'm tipping the Chooks to bounce back to their winning ways with a tight victory. Roosters by 4.
Best bet: Roosters 1-12 $2.80
Odds: Roosters $1.60 Eels $2.55
Words: Andre Cupido
